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Trauma in Papua New Guinea: what do we know and where do we go?

journal contribution
posted on 1996-06-01, 00:00 authored by David WattersDavid Watters, T Dyke
Trauma is a major health problem in Papua New Guinea. Injuries are the commonest cause of death in the productive age group of 15-44 years. Trauma is the leading cause of surgical death in Port Moresby General Hospital. The common causes of injury are road traffic accidents, domestic violence, criminal assault, tribal fights, accidents at home and at work, burns and falls. This review summarizes what has been published on the different causes of trauma in Papua New Guinea. Though much has been written little has been done to implement the recommendations made. Papua New Guinea needs a spinal unit and it needs burns units in its major hospitals. There should be better facilities for rehabilitation. Little has been done to curb tribal fighting and domestic violence. Road traffic fatalities have at least remained static in the last decade and wearing seat belts is now compulsory, but the law must be enforced. Driving after drinking alcohol must be stopped and protective roll bars or cages must be fitted to all open-back utility vehicles which carry passengers. Progress requires vision and commitment by surgeons, leaders in public health, hospital administrators and politicians.

History

Journal

Papua and New Guinea medical journal

Volume

39

Pagination

121-125

Location

Papua New Guinea

ISSN

0031-1480

Language

eng

Publication classification

CN.1 Other journal article

Copyright notice

1996, Medical Society of Papua New Guinea

Issue

2

Publisher

Medical Society of Papua New Guinea